empowerment

Get up and move

This helmet was mine after a paintball game, not too long ago. Let’s just say I was grateful for the coverage! I grew up in a family of all girls. There were four daughters to be exact. Even the dogs we had were female. Add in my Mom, and my poor Dad was completely surrounded. We had a lot of fun in our family, but he didn’t get to play much catch or practice throwing the football. He taught us how to shoot a gun briefly, but let’s just say that hunting wasn’t part of our family tradition.

Even so, I somehow developed a love for cap guns.

I wish I had the picture now, but I used to run around dressed up like a “cowgirl” firing gap guns left and right. I remember it as one of the joys of my childhood. I guess that explains why the introduction of paintball …

If you know me, or you’ve been reading my blog for very long, you know; eyelash extensions and me, we have a thing. They’re my one consistent routine of self-care. I go visit my friend Lisa every two weeks when the kids are going to sleep.

It’s usually a relaxing time that’s reserved for me.

Scott and I actually had a nice dinner date and then parted ways at 7:30. He – to pick up the boys at church and me – to zip up the tollway to get my lashes. I left in plenty of time, with not a thought in the world of a traffic jam heading up to Prosper (the farthest north suburb of Dallas).

But this is what I found.

Of course, there was no “out”. I was stuck. Sitting still, with literally hundreds of other cars, for over an hour. It was like that part in the Jack & …

by Crystal Gornto Loving Yourself Roadblocks in Life The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat

On a trip to Boston, Ashley VanBuskirk, founder of Flora Stationery (& one of our Love Makers) met with Holly Curtis, a designer at Keds.

Holly spent time answering questions and mentoring Ashley before delivering surprising news that will impact Ashley and Flora, in such a beautiful way. When I watched the video, I was pleasantly surprised to find out how Keds is going to help Ashley spread her message. They’re not changing their business model and they’re not scrapping the whole thing to start from scratch.

They’re creating ways to give back with the products they’re already making.

(Watch the whole video below.)

Today, I want to point out that it doesn’t take an extreme business makeover to make a difference. It can start with one simple change. One step in the right direction.

Keds may never know all the lives they will touch as a result of this decision.

The ripple effect …

by Crystal Gornto Fashion Friday Female Social Entrepreneurs Inspirational Women Love In Action 2 comments chat

This girl. If you know her and don’t love her, you have a heart of stone. She is hysterical and kind. She’s brilliant and creative. She’s one in a million.

Meet Bethany Tran.

Bethany! What a joy it is to tell your beautiful story! Thank you for pulling back the curtain for us.

We’ve talked about how hard it is for many heart-centered female entrepreneurs to step up to be the face of our companies. We want the attention to go the cause and people we seek to serve. When really, people are looking for someone who will say, ” I’m the one who cares enough to do this. It’s not easy, but I’m not giving up.”

What’s that journey been like for you?

Gosh, being the face of my passion hasn’t been easy! I don’t at all see myself as any kind of a hero or visionary. I just saw a need that wasn’t being …

by Crystal Gornto Female Social Entrepreneurs Inspiration Inspirational Women Love In Action Purpose The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat

Image courtesy of Hailey Bell, event stylist, Fashioned for Freedom 2015. HBell Photography

When I was a little girl, I sang a song in church that I’ve never forgotten. It’s not a song many grown-ups sing, but I think of it often. It’s called, This Little Light of Mine.

It goes like this:

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel – NO!
I’m gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel – NO!
I’m gonna let it shine,
Hide it under a bushel – NO!
I’m gonna let it shine, Let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine.

When we got to the “hide it under a bushel” part, we’d shout “NO!” with so much enthusiasm, like it wasn’t …

by Crystal Gornto Fashion Friday Female Social Entrepreneurs Inspirational Women Love In Action Loving Others The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat

Yesterday I talked with a gal in LA who founded a growing social enterprise. When we scheduled the call, she gave me a thirty minute window, so I knew up front that she was a woman with strong boundaries. When we began to chat, one of the first things out of her mouth was,

I’m an ROI girl. What can I do to make sales?

There was a time when those words would’ve stopped me in my tracks, thinking to myself, Then why in the world are you talking with me? I’m the party bus, I’m NOT the ROI girl. But that was my old story that used to hold me back.

I have a new one now.

What I’ve learned is this, if you make choices based on feelings alone, you’ll almost always regret them. Choices have to be made based on our values. Yes, feelings and instincts play a role, but they can’t …

by Crystal Gornto Inspiration Inspirational Women Inspirational Words Love In Action Loving Yourself Priorities The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat

Get up and move

You’ve got this

It can happen anywhere